Background
to the
Research
- The Joseph Rowntree Foundation,
between 1998 and 2000, funded Save the Children to undertake four
complementary studies of young people's views about the transition
from childhood to adulthood in England, Scotland, Wales and NI.
- Four groups of young people
were identified: young people who had participated in young organisations
in England; young workers in Wales and south-west England; young people
leaving care in Scotland; and young mothers in NI.
- These groups were chosen
in order to explore possible similarities and differences in the experiences
of young people who may be regarded as vulnerable because of their
circumstances and/or because they may have taken on responsibilities
beyond the expectations of people their age.
Research
Approach
- The study was a qualitative analysis of
the views and experiences of young mothers growing up in NI. In NI,
the sample was gained predominately through voluntary organisations
supporting young mothers. The majority of the sample (16 interviewees)
were living in Belfast or Derry cities, with the other nine living
in a rural area. Nine were employed, all on a contract basis, and
all were involved in some form of work with young people or young
parents.
- The interview schedule facilitated an exploration
of the main themes of the research, namely significant events and
experiences, skills gained and required and changing attitudes to,
and perceptions of, growing up.
- The interview lasted on average two hours
and was interspersed with written and visual exercises that helped
boost concentration levels and facilitated discussion of the issues
raised.
- The ages of young mothers when interviewed
ranged from 13 to 27 years with 18 young mothers aged over 18 at time
of interview. All of the young mothers had become pregnant when aged
18 or less, with 2 having become pregnant at age 13/14 years. 2 young
mothers were currently living in the family home, 10 lived in a hostel
and 13 lived in their own home.
Main
Findings
- Sex education in school was 'inadequate',
'not realistic' or 'not detailed enough'
- Young mothers had not looked for contraceptive
advice before becoming pregnant, because 'you might be seen' and 'it
would get back to your parents'. For those living in rural areas,
lack of transport make it even more difficult to get contraception.
- Young mothers would have preferred to
be older and 'lived a bit more' before they had their child' but for
most of them their lives were now more focused and purposeful.
- Three-quarters of biological fathers had
let their girlfriends down. However, about a quarter of the fathers
were involved in parenting their child.
- Money, or rather a lack of money, was
an issue for all the young mothers, even those who lived at home with
their parents. The very tight budget on which they had to live meant
that they knew how their benefits were spent, down to the last penny.
- For some, parenting skills came naturally,
for others it was more of a struggle.
- The young mothers were determined to be
the best parents possible. Almost half had done a parenting course,
and a further quarter said they intended to do one soon.
- For those with children over three years,
education was a big issue. All wanted to make sure their children
got a better start from school than they had.
- Most of the young mothers faced a wait
of up to two years before being housed. Many were offered accommodation
that was 'hard to let' because of its poor condition, or because the
area was rundown or crime-ridden.
- For some, moving into their own place
was a bleak and lonely time. Just how miserable it was for them seems
to have depended on how near they were to their families.
- The chronic lack of affordable childcare
was an obstacle to returning to education, getting a job or even having
a bit of time to themselves.
- All nine of those who worked had short-term
contracts. This caused problems with the benefit system, and sometimes
meant they could not complete work-based training.
- None of the young mothers had a social
life like other young people their age.
- Transport was a problem for many of the
young mothers when accessing education, training or employment, and
getting their child to childcare. In rural areas, transport was a
problem for something as basic as collecting benefits.
- Overwhelmingly, the young mothers identified
their family, especially their mothers, as their main support. Many
relied on their parents to help them with money.
- Voluntary organisations like Gingerbread,
Youth Action and Barnardo's Young Parents Network also gave important
support to the young mothers.
Conclusions
- The report concluded that it was clear
that these young mothers had made the transition to adulthood by the
age of 18, which most young people today do not make until 25 plus.
- However, mothers under 18, even when living
independently, are entitled to benefits far below the income support
level. The report recommended that young mothers be treated as adults
by the benefit system and other agencies and made a number of recommendations
for policy makers regarding benefits, housing, health and education.
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